Masher



Aug. 8, 1933. J? MANTELET; I 1,921,936

Y MASHER Fi ied Feb. 9, .1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fE/ZNTEL'ET J n. 15m.

Attorneys Ailg. s, 1933.

V J. MANTELEI HASHER Filed Feb. 9, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Altai-mega.

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 SATES MASHER Jean Mantelet, Bagnolet, France,assignor to Mantelet et Boucher (Societe en nom Collectif) Bagnolet,France 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to mashers.

It is known there exists mashers having a flat bottom acting as a sieveand in which the compression of the matter against that sieve is ob 5tained by means of a portion of a helical surface rotating about an axisat right angles to the central part of the fiat sieve. The upper edge ofthat surface which is apart from said sieve catches, by being rotated,the matter to be sieved, while the lower edge that limits said surfaceis in contact with the fiat sieve. Owing to that arrangement the mattercaught between the helical surface and the flat sieve is progressivelycompressed and must forcibly pass through the sieve which is scraped bythe lower edge of said surface. However, inan apparatus of that kind,thehelical surface is substantially as wide as the container that formsthe masher; in other words, the peripheral edge of said helical surfaceis substantialy in contact along the whole of its length with the innerwall of the container. It results therefrom that if the matter to besieved, which is compressed between the sieve and the compressinghelical surface, has a relatively high resistance, the rotation of saidcompressing surface becomes difficult and even sometimes impossible,since no escape is provided for the release of that matter.

On the other hand it is known that some mashthe sieve, againstwhich thematter to be sieved is compressed by a suitable compressing organ,moving substantially in the direction of the axis of the cone.

Experience has taught that on the one hand conical sieves greatlyfacilitate the passage of the matter to be sieved through them, and onthe other hand the rotary helical surfaces forming progressively actingcompressing organs, can

work with a minimum of effort. The masher according to my invention ischaracterized by the chief following features which may exist eitherseparately or in combination:

'(a) The portion of helical surface that forms the compressing surfacemounted in a rotary manner on a spindle provided at the centre of thesieve, is disposed in such manner that its peripheral edge, which issubstantially in contact at its bottom when the inner wall of thecontainer is progressively getting away from said wall as it comes upnearer to theupper edge of said surface that catches the matter, so thatsaid compressing surface leaves between itself and the wall of thecontainer an outlet interval which diminishes gradually from the upperradial edge of that surface down to its lower edge which is ers areprovided with a conical bottom forming substantially in contact withboth the wall of the container and the sieve. 7

Owing to that arrangement, the matter to be sieved is caught by thecompressing surface over only a portionof the radius of thecontainerthat forms the masher, while the final pressure exerted on said matterby the rotary compressing surface is applied substantially over thewhole of said radius.

It results therefrom that if the matter to be sieved offers too high aresistance, said matter can, in the course of its compression by thefirst part of said surface, escape between its peripheral edge and thewallof the container. The efiort to be exerted isin this case usefullyreduced. On the other hand when the matter to be sieved has a certainhomogeneity (when vegetablesto be mashed are fibrous such as cabbages,turnips or others) the helical peripheral edge of the compressingsurface forms, owing to its gradually getting closer to the wall of thecontainer, a knife that progressively cuts the matter to be sieved anddetaches from the whole of said matter the part thereof that is indirect contact with the compressed surface.

(b) The bottom of the container that forms the sieve is convex, theconvexity being directed towards the inside of said container; the lowerradial edge of the helical compression surface and the portion of saidsurface that is close to said edge is so shaped asto fit substantiallyon said convex sieve.

Owing to that arrangement the masher according to my invention includesin combination the advantages of known mashers having a conical bottomand of the mashers, also known, having a helical compressing surface. Ii

(c) The helical compressing surface is provided at its lowerend with ascraper disposed in such manner as to rub against the lower portion ofthe wall of the container so as to detach therefrom the matter to besieved.

(d) The rotary spindle that supports the helical compressing surface ismounted in a boss or .bearing secured through any suitable means to thecentre portion of the sieve and underneath it. Said boss is of suitablelength for avoiding any lateral play of the spindle. A compressionspring is disposed between said boss and a stop rigidly fixed to thespindle.

' My invention further comprises other features pended drawings givenmerely by way of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the masher according to my inventiondisposed on a culinary container;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, a portion of the lateral walls and of thebottom of the masher being cut away;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the masher;

Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view thereof;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are axial sectional views of three other embodimentsof a masher according to my invention;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the helical compressing surface of theapparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a detail of the support of the spindle.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive comprises a containerconsisting of a conical bottom 1 provided with a plurality of smallholes so as to form a sieve, and around the edges of which are providedcylindrical walls 2. A boss or bearing 3 of sufficient length is rigidlyfixed to the central portion of sieve 1. A spindle 4 provided at itsupper end with a crank 5 extends throughout said boss and also throughthe sieve. On said spindle and immediately above the conical sieve l iskeyed a portion of a substantially helical surface 6. The lower radialedge '7 of said surface is of a length substantially equal to that ofthe generatrix of cone 1, and it is in constant contact with said cone.The upper radial edge 8 of that surface is shorter than the generatrixof cone 1 and it is suitably held apart from said cone. The peripheraledge 9 of said surface consists in this embodiment of a conical helix.

The lower radial edge 7 of 'said compressing surface 6 is maintained inconstant elastic contact with-the upper face of sieve 1 through theaction of a spring 10 wound about the lower end of spindle 4 betweenboss 3 and a nut 11 screwed on said spindle. A blade 12 fixed to surface6 through any suitable means is so disposed as to form a scraper thatrubs slightly against wall 2 of the container and thus detaches fromsaid wall the matter to be sieved.

The wall 2 of the container is provided with lugs 13 for fitting saidcontainer on any kitchen vessel.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The matter to be sieved is placed in a container 7 and surface 6 isgiven, through crank 5, a rotary movement in the direction of .arrow F.

In this action the upper radial edge 8 of said surface catches thematter which is progressively compressed between said surface and theconical sieve. As a result of said compression, most of the matterpasses through the sieve, while, if it ofiers too high a resistance aportion of said matter can escape between the wall 2 of the containerand the peripheral edge 9 of the compressmg surface.

The amount of matter that is thus allowed to escape necessarilydecreases as edge 9 is getting closer to the lower radial edge 7.

It should be noted that the length of boss 3 makes it possible tosupport and guide spindle 4 without the latter being maintained at itsupper part (as is the case with most devices of that type) by aninterfering cross member carried by the upper part of the wall of thecontainer. On the other hand, the position of boss 3 and its suflicientlength, and also the fact that compressing spring 10 is disposed belowthe sieve, are made possible by the conicity of sieve 1 which .as tofacilitate its adjustment. It may be applied leaves underneath itsuflicient space for lodging these parts.

In the different embodiment shown in Fig. 5, sieve 14 1s of sphericalshape. The lower part 15 of the helical surface is slightly curved so asto be closely applied upon said sieve.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6, sieve 16 is of plane shape; the lowerportion 17 of the helical surface is also plane and at right anglss toits axis of revolution, so as to be also maintained in contact with thesieve.

The cylindrical wall 2 of the container extends at 18 below the sieve soas to form sufficient housing for boss 3, spring 10 and nut 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8, 9D the lateral wall 19of the container widens out in the shape of a truncated cone, and sieve1 is conical as in the embodiment shown in Figs.

1 to 4. The lower portion of the helical surface is therefore similar tothat shown in said figures, but its upper radial edge 20 is of the samelength as its lower radial edge 21. The peripheral edge 22 of saidcompressing surface therefore constitutes a cylindrical helix, whichleaves between itself and the conical wall 19, a progressively wideninginterval for the escape of the matter, according to my invention, saidfeature being obtained owing to the conical shape of wall 19.

In Fig.9 nut 23 that serves to adjust the pressure of spring 10 consistsof the lower portion of a sleeve 24 engaging boss 3 with an easy fit,and therefore adapted to protect these organs against any possiblesoiling. Said sleeve is preferably of hexagonal outer cross section at25 so optionally on all the apparatus according to my invention.

Of course in all of the apparatus that has been described, the sievesmay be optionally either of plane or of convex shape for instanceconical or spherical, the helixes being devised in accordance.

While I have disclosed what I deem to be practical and eflicientembodiments of my invention, it should be well understood that I do notwish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in thearrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing fromthe principle of my invention as comprehended within the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim is: r

l. A masher of the type described including in combination, a containerhaving the shape of a surface of revolution, a sieve fixed inside saidcontainer so as to leave a certain space between its central part andthe lower part of the container, a bearing rigidly fixed to the centralpart of said sieve and extending downwardly therefrom, a spindleextending throughout said sieve and said bearing, a crank at the upperend of said spindle, a helical surface keyed on said spindle above saidsieve, the lower radial edge of said surface beingof a length equal tothe radial section of the sieve, and conforming in shape to the radialsection thereof; the upper radial edge of said surface being shorterthan the radius of said container and being placed at a certain distanceabove said sieve, and the peripheral edge of said surface graduallyconnecting the outer 145 end of said lower radial edge to the outer endof the upper radial edge, and means for applying the lower radial edgeof said surface against said sieve. Y

2. A masher of the type described including in 150 combination,a-cylindrical container, a convex shaped sieve inside said container, abearing rigidly fixed to the central part of said sieve and extendingdownwardly therefrom, a spindle extending throughout said sieve and saidbearing, a crank at the upper end of said spindle, a helical surfacekeyed on said spindle above said sieve, the lower radial edge of saidsurface being of a length equal to the radial section of the container,and conforming in shape to said radial section, the upper radial edge ofsaid surface being shorter than the lower radial edge thereof and beingplaced at a certain distance above said sieve,

' and the peripheral edgeof said surfacegradually connecting the outeredge of said lower radial edge to the outer end of the upper radialedge, and means for applying the lower radial edge of said surfaceagainst said sieve. I

3. A masher of the type described including in combination, acylindrical container, a conical sieve inside said container extendingup from the lower edge thereof, a bearing rigidly fixed to the centralpart of said sieve and extending downwardly therefrom, a spindleextending throughout said sieve and said bearing, a crank at the upperend of said spindle, a helical surface rigidly keyed on said spindleabove said sieve, the lower radial edge of said surface beingrectilinearand of alength equal to the generatrix of the conical;

sieve, the upper radial edge of said surface being shorter than thelower radial edge thereof and being placed at a certain distance abovesaid sieve, and theperipheral edge of said surface gradually connectingthe outer end of said lower radial edge to the outer end of the upperradial edge, a projection at the lower end of said spindle, and a springinterposed between said bearing and said projectionrfor applying thelower radial edge of said surface against the sieve.

4. A masher according to claim 3 further comprising a small plate fixedto the outer end of the lower radial edge of said surface and adapted torub against the cylindrical walls of the container, so as to detach thematter therefrom.

5. A masher according to claim 2 in which the sieve is of sphericalshape. 1

6. A masher according to claim 1 in which the sieve is of plane shape.

'7. A masher according to claim 1 in which the last mentioned meansconsists of a sleeve screwed on the lower end of said spindle andengaging said bearing with an easy fit, and a spring interposed betweenthe bottom of said sleeve and the lower end of said bearing.

8. A masher of the type described including in combination, a containerhaving the shape of an upwardly flaring cone, a sieve inside saidcontainer having the shape of a downwardly'fiaring cone coaxial with thefirst mentioned one, a bearing rigidly fixed to the central part of saidsieve and extending downwardly therefrom, a spindle extending throughoutsaid sieve and said bearing, a crank at the upper end of said spindle, ahelical surface keyed on said spindle above said sieve, the lower radialedge of said surface being rectilinear and of a length equal to thegeneratrix of the second mentioned cone, the upperradial edge of saidsurface being of a length substantially equal to that of the lowerradial edge and being placed at a certain distance above said sieve, andthe peripheral edge of said surface gradually connecting the outer endof said lower radial edge to the outer end of the upper radial edge, andmeans for applying the lower radial edge of said surface against saidsieve.

JEAN MANTELET..

